Page 25 of Otter Heart
“What was that for?” I hissed.
“Good measure,” Mateo replied nonchalantly.
“What the hell does that even mean?” When he didn’t reply I went to the next part. “And don’t call me agood boy. I’m not a dog and I’m not into Dom stuff.”
Mateo stopped, smirking in my direction. “Did I go too far? Is there something you want to tell me?”
“I… no,” I replied, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“Adam,” he pressed. “You’re not being honest and open with me.”
I sighed, letting my shoulders droop. “I… I guess I just wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t think we were at that point yet. This is all still so new.”
“Would you like me to stop doing that?”
“Y-Yeah.” Then I quickly added, “For now. At least until we know each other better and have moved onto something like that.”
Mateo smiled, reaching out and patting me on the arm. “Good job,” he said, beaming as he headed down the walkway. “You passed your first honesty test. I wasn’t sure if you’d stand up for yourself or just let it slide.”
He… He’d been testing me?
“I promise not to touch you again without your permission,” he said, gesturing for me to follow. “And don’t be afraid to talk about anything. Nothing is off limits between us, okay?”
“A-Alright.”
I followed, my eyes boring into the back of Mateo’s skull. This guy was fucking tricky. I had to keep my eye on him.
???
There were picnic tables near the beach, but still underthe shade of the trees thankfully. It was another scorching hot day and even with the breeze from the lake, I was still sweating. More than once, we’d broken off to wade through the shallows. Mateo took Bessie with him, and I usually ran out there by myself. I’d just arrived back from a quick dip in the lake to cool me off.
“Sure is a nice day,” I said, putting one wet buttcheek on the corner of the picnic table as I toweled my face and hair off. “I’m starting to understand why my uncle built a cabin here. It’s so peaceful.”
“Peaceful?” Mateo scoffed. “It’s loud as hell here.”
“It’s not that bad!”
“Tourist season is my least favorite time. They’re all so noisy and their kids…ugh. I don’t understand the need to scream all the time.”
“Good thing you don’t live in the city,” I smirked as I took a seat next to him on the tabletop. “You would’ve hated it there. It’s noisy all the time. Day or night.”
“I like my condo and all the old people. Everyone isdeadsilent between sunset and sunrise. Most of them go to bed at six after their four o’clock supper.”
I couldn’t help chuckling at that.
“And they’re all really nice to me,” he continued. “Old people are okay with going slow and letting me take my time to do things for myself.” He let out a sigh. “People my age… well… they just move at a faster pace.”
“You’re notslow,” I retorted. “You led the way here without missing a step!”
“That’s because I have this place memorized. But going into town or being somewhere without Bessie takes a lot of effort and time. And a lot of people don’t want to be patient. They mean well when they take me by the arm and try to help me along, but every time they do I end up taking a door to the face or falling off a curb.”
I couldn’t help a chuckle. “I’m not laughing at you,” I grinned. “I swear.”
“Uh-huh,” he smiled, jabbing me in the leg with his forefinger.
“Do you go out much?” I asked, batting him away. “With friends I mean?”
“No.” He took on a faraway look as he gazed out toward the waves and the wind rustled his curly brown hair. “They’ve all moved on. Don’t get me wrong, I still get emails and a text now and then, but they’re off having grand adventures and living life in the fast lane. And me… well, I’m here with my dog and teaching my classes. Life here is slow and savory.” He laughed at his own words. “That’s probably why I can’t get a boyfriend either. If the blind thing doesn’t put them off, me acting like I’m a seventy-five-year-old retiree definitely will.”
